Amul first came to Karnataka when Congress was in power, says Nirmala Sitharaman
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Bengaluru: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said that it is "brazen" to say that Amul is being brought to Karnataka to kill Nandini. She also alleged that the Gujarat-based dairy cooperative first came to Karnataka when Congress was in power.
She also claimed that things are being tweaked, twisted, and made an emotional issue because the state is facing an election. Assembly polls are being held on May 10.
The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) sells dairy products under the brand name Nandini.
"In India's scheme of things, every state has its own milk cooperative. Karnataka's Nandini - whoever doesn't recognise it? Even now as I've come, I had Nandini milk, curd, peda... Of course in Delhi, I'll buy Amul. I represent Karnataka (but) in Delhi, if Nandini isn't available, I'm mentally not a sanyasi to say I won't drink milk if Nandini isn't available. I still buy Amul. That's not being against Karnataka," said the minister.
She added that strengthening Nandini and dairy farmers in Karnataka had never been a question and it would continue to happen. "Nandini too sold its products in other states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh just like other state dairies' products are also available in Karnataka. Good competition I would say... The idea is therefore to strengthen India in every aspect. That's why India became the world's largest milk producer."
She was asked about the controversy during the interaction with the Thinkers Forum.
"Amul entered Karnataka when there was a Congress government here. I'm not sure I should name the Chief Minister at that time. The same respected former CM is now questioning Amul's entry. It was in his time Amul entered North Karnataka for marketing in those areas," said Sitharaman.
"Instead of building a healthy competition and a positive narrative, the issue was twisted. Our farmers and women need not be brought into a political issue," she added.
